Dad of Divas' Reviews: Book Review -The Homework Trap

Monday, March 26, 2012

Book Review -The Homework Trap

About the Book
In his new book, The Homework Trap: How to Save the Sanity of Parents, Students and Teachers, Dr. Kenneth Goldberg, a 35-year professional in clinical psychology, moves the on-going homework debate into a new and important territory. Coining the term, the “homework-trapped child”, Dr. Goldberg explains why certain children, regardless of how bright they are, cannot complete their homework assignments. Offering a new model for thinking about homework non-compliance, he identifies “under the radar” learning problems as opposed to focusing on what the child should do or assuming that consequences can change behavior.

Based on his analysis, Dr. Goldberg gives parents guidelines to follow at home along with ways to deal with the child’s teacher, school and community. His three simple recommendations are time-bound homework, reduced penalties, and increased parent authority, each of which will require a major shift for teachers and schools. The Homework Trap gives parents the basis to ask for that change.

Applying concepts from behavioral, developmental and organizational psychology to explain, in simple, easy-to-understand terms, why parent-teacher efforts often make matters worse, The Homework Trap addresses topics such as:


  • Simple, yet radical answers to homework non-compliance problems
  • Empowering parents to take charge of their homes
  • How educators can reduce behavioral problems, improve education, and increase their authority in the classroom
  • Why chronic homework problems are educational, not behavioral or moral problems
  • How homework non-compliance is a lifespan issue



About Kenneth Goldberg, Ph.D.
Dr. Kenneth Goldberg is a clinical psychologist with 35 years of professional experience in dealing with many different psychological issues. Through his career, he has served children, adolescents, and adults, offering individual and group psychotherapy, as well as marriage and family counseling. Prior to starting his private practice, Dr. Goldberg served as clinical director for a children’s resident treatment facility, as director of a psychiatric day-treatment program for the chronically mentally ill, and as the head of a rural mental-health center. A member of the American Psychological Association as well as a frequent speaker and consultant on programs designed to serve psychiatric populations, he is the author of The Homework Trap: How to Save the Sanity of Parents, Students and Teachers and currently works in his own private practice.

For more information, please visit www.thehomeworktrap.com.

My Take on the Book
This book gives parents a new way to consider homework and how you can work with a child that is just completely stuck in the process of completing homework. The ideas are easy to implement and the author does a great job at at walking the reader step-by-step through the process. If you have children that are working on homework nightly then you probably have gotten to the frustration point or you soon will (especially as your children get older) and this book is a great resource and guide for all parents and their children!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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